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The Importance of Being Counted

With benefits from boosting hate-crimes and marriage equality laws to simply letting legislators know gay Americans indeed exist, the 2010 Census is a chance to stand up and be counted.


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"Surely you jest. Wow! I have never met any of these people." — Republican state senator Dean Kirby upon learning that 55 same-sex couples were counted in his hometown of Jackson, Miss.

Senator Kirby is not unlike many people who are completely unaware of their LGBT neighbors. Many Americans like him should be reminded that we are not invisible. We are, in fact, everywhere. The sad irony is that we remain challenged for the same rights as our fellow Americans.

I am reminded that unbridled hatred of LGBT people exists when I read the news reports of Jorge Steven López Mercado or Lawrence King or Lateisha Green, all brutally murdered at the hands of homophobic killers. I hear stories of couples who were literally left standing at the altar, denied matrimony as Prop. 8 was passed down. Just imagining the cruel twist of fate Martin Gill’s foster boys may face — if the Florida state law that prohibits adoption by gays tears their family apart — galvanizes me into action.

Hate crimes, marriage equality, and adoption rights are just some of the issues making headlines as part of a broader U.S. political debate affecting the LGBT movement. 

The Census is a federally authorized course of action that may influence how these issues are debated and laws aew created or amended. 

The U.S. Census Bureau wants Americans to return their forms by April 1, designated Census Day. It takes 10 minutes to fill the form out and change the course of our lives for the next decade.

After the forms are returned, and households that did not fill out forms visited by Census takers, the data collected from the Census is analyzed. If we are all counted, the outcome may increase public awareness of our issues, including research and provisions for health care services for people with HIV/AIDS, and public policy on everything from gays and lesbians in the military to raising foster kids and adoption.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Catherine R
    Date posted: 3/19/2010 7:47:06 PM
    Hometown: New York

    Comment:

    Great article. How sad and frightening when a politician doesn't know "these people" exist in his own hometown. It is time that everyone become aware of how many people there are who are not counted and not given the rights they deserve. Just saw a play - Next Fall - fabulous - on Broadway- which highlights the importance of same sex couples having the rights granted to everyone else. All the senators should see that play!

  • Name: Cara
    Date posted: 3/16/2010 6:51:17 PM
    Hometown: Los Angeles

    Comment:

    Insightful and intelligent; an excellent read!

  • Name: martin gelfand
    Date posted: 3/16/2010 2:23:24 PM
    Hometown: mercer island, wa

    Comment:

    What an important article! The subject is so current and explained beautifully! Bring on more ideas like this. Thanks

  • Name: Steve Heyl
    Date posted: 3/16/2010 12:30:09 PM
    Hometown: San Diego

    Comment:

    We're one of the couples that got married when California allowed it. While filling out my census form, I called the census bureau to ask for a clarification on the "How is this person related to person 1?" question since California recognizes our marriage but the US Government does not. After putting me on hold to "speak to a supervisor" several times, the person I spoke to said "a marriage does not have to recognized by the US Government" to use the "Husband or wife" answer. I'm taking that as the official policy. Finally, on the third census form since we've been together (21 years), we can list ourselves as married!

  • Name: Jane
    Date posted: 3/16/2010 2:12:00 AM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

    Exceptional, insightful article, Rob! The tone is right on and the timing is perfect. Being counted in the census is a most significant civil rights issue - now more than ever- impacting every person and all communities- to ensure equal representation (v. improper redistricting) and equal access to resources. Undercounted and underserved communities - including low-income people, people of color, immigrants, veterans, families, people who identify as LGB/queer, trans people - are otherwise shortchanged from the distribution of 400 billion each yr over the next 10 yrs in federal funding, decreasing access to health care, education, benefits, economic development, social services and employment. Thank you for being engaged, involved and working for social justice. I hope to read more!

  • Name: BILL BRACKEN
    Date posted: 3/15/2010 12:14:23 PM
    Hometown: MINNEAPOLIS

    Comment:

    VERY GOOD POINTS, ROBERT

  • Name: JS
    Date posted: 3/14/2010 6:58:39 PM
    Hometown: New York, NY

    Comment:

    Great piece Robert! Thank you for making us aware of how important the census is and the difference it can make.

  • Name: Carin
    Date posted: 3/13/2010 3:44:41 PM
    Hometown: Rochester, NY

    Comment:

    The Census counts people. Human beings. Period. Well-written, necessary information, Mr. Danforth. Thank you.

  • Name: John G. Young
    Date posted: 3/12/2010 12:02:42 PM
    Hometown: Charlottville, NY

    Comment:

    I had never considered how important the census was to LGBT people until I read this fascinating article. Especially in small and rural towns where many folks still live with their "special friend," even though everyone already understands the true nature of the relationship. kudos to Danforth.

  • Name: Saul
    Date posted: 3/12/2010 11:34:27 AM
    Hometown: Brooklyn

    Comment:

    Scott (or Robert or whoever) give it a rest. This means as little to me as the last census

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